Panthers Likely To Go With Interim GM This Season, Marty Hurney An Option?

Update:

Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer reports that the Panthers are likely to go with an interim general manager this season, rather than rush to hire someone at this point in the year.

According to Person, former Panthers GM Marty Hurney “makes some sense” for the team in this role.

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The Panthers made the surprising decision to part ways with GM Dave Gettleman on Monday, despite the fact that they’re just over a week away from the start of training camp.

Potential GM replacements are already being floated including former Chiefs GM John Dorsey. 

• Alex Marvez wouldn’t be surprised if the Panthers hired Dorsey to replace Gettleman.
• Adam Schefter says that Titans director of player personnel Ryan Cowden and Panthers director of player personnel Don Gregory are two names to watch for the job.
• Mike Garafolo points out that popular GM candidate Trent Kirchner of the Seahawks spent eight years in Carolina as a scout.
• Mike Florio mentions Titans director of player personnel Ryan Cowden, Bills assistant GM Joe Schein, and Panthers director of college scouting Jeff Morrow as three candidates to keep an eye on for the job. “They love these three guys,” a league source tells Florio.
• Jason La Canfora considers Don Gregory a “strong name to watch” if the Panthers promote from within.

Brandon Beane, who ultimately agreed to follow DC Sean McDermott to Buffalo and take the Bills’ GM position, was viewed as a GM-in-waiting for the Panthers. However, that ship has clearly sailed.

Kirchner and Cowden have previously interviewed for GM vacancies this offseason and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them meet with the Panthers in the coming weeks.

As for Dorsey, he too was a respected personnel executive with a solid track record in charge of the Chiefs. After he was fired, a few reports mentioned that there were some organizational issues during Dorsey’s tenure, which led to them moving on, but he could be a very appealing option for the Panthers to consider.

We’ll have more regarding the Panthers’ GM vacancy as the news is available.